Control Systems Manager

Company Description

The UK Government has established UK Fusion Energy (UKFE) Ltd, a subsidiary of UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), to lead the charge in delivering fusion energy through the design and delivery of the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) prototype fusion plant. UKIFS is establishing itself, setting up the company, attracting talent, engaging with industry, developing a supply chain, and planning and constructing the STEP prototype.

Fusion energy, crucial for combating climate change and ensuring energy independence, is expected to be commercially viable by mid‑century. The UK, led by UKFE, aims for a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040. UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd. will lead delivery, collaborating with industrial partners and building a fusion supply chain with an estimated global sector value of £7tn per year.

Join UKFE and the STEP programme to be involved in this ground‑breaking journey.

As an employee of UKFE, you will benefit from:

• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme
• Corporate bonus scheme up to 7% and a relocation allowance (if eligible)
• Flexible working options, including family‑friendly policies and the right to request flexible working from the start of employment
• Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders; generous annual leave allowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays
• Wide range of career development opportunities
• A vibrant culture committed to full inclusivity

A full list of our benefits can be found here

The salary for this role is £73,190. This role includes a non‑contractual and non‑pensionable specialist allowance of £7,900. This position is based at West Burton, Nottinghamshire. On‑site working is expected for 3 days each week.

For more information on UKFE, visit:

The STEP Prototype Plant will redefine what can be controlled in real time — bringing together a highly nonlinear plasma system with complex thermal, electrical and mechanical plant.

As Control Systems Manager, you’ll be the technical authority shaping how this ground‑breaking facility is controlled, protected and automated. You’ll define the integrated control approach that enables safe, stable and reliable fusion operations.

Working at the intersection of plasma physics, power engineering and advanced digital systems, you’ll bring together plasma control, plant systems, protection functions and data into one coherent vision. In this first‑of‑a‑kind environment, the clarity and strength of the control strategy you lead will play a pivotal role in the plant’s success.

• Define and evolve the end‑to‑end control systems architecture for the STEP Prototype Plant
• Bring together plasma control, plant systems (DCS/PCS), protection, timing and data into a seamless, integrated whole
• Design for longevity — ensuring systems are maintainable, adaptable and ready for future innovation
• Set and govern clear interface definitions across teams and partners
• Identify and manage integration risks, developing smart mitigation strategies
• Lead technical reviews and guide trade‑offs to optimise performance, reliability and cyber resilience

• Define the overall control philosophy and translate it into clear, scalable system requirements
• Champion innovation in control strategies, digital engineering and advanced modelling
• Design resilient sensing and control approaches for extreme environments, using smart instrumentation and model‑based techniques
• Ensure full traceability from concept of operations through to safety and regulatory expectations
• Provide technical leadership across control platforms, HMI, alarms and networks
• Shape robust verification and validation approaches — from simulation to full plant testing

• Set the standard for control system design, alarm strategy and configuration management across the plant
• Embed functional safety principles (IEC 61508/61511), including hazard analysis and SIL…